12 Benchmark Reds & Whites from Around the World

Stonewall is a crisp, light-bodied white wine with intense passion fruit and gooseberry aromas. The palate is rich and racy, with ripe tropical fruit, citrus zest, and freshly chopped herb flavors. Lively mineral notes introduce the long, vibrant finish.

Shellfish, chicken, pork, herb sauces, zesty green salads and other vegetarian dishes, goat cheese.

The Black Stump Reserve is a full-bodied red with aromas and flavors of ripe blackberry, mocha spice and subtle vanilla notes. Rounded tannins and a low acidity ensure it is smooth throughout the finish.

Barbecue, sausage, pizza, lamb, meaty pasta, burgers

HJ Fabre Gran Reserva is a full-bodied red with sweet raspberry and strawberry aromas and flavors. Mouthfilling and easy to drink, it is low in acid and has little-to-no tannins.

Aged cheese, duck, game birds, venison, pork, vegetarian

Domaine de Longuet is a medium-bodied white wine with bright floral and peachy-spice aromas. On the palate, look forward to flavors of ripe stone fruit and honeysuckle with a fresh finish.

Seafood (esp. lobster, crab or scallops with butter sauces), spicy dishes, holiday classics like turkey and honey-glazed hams, cheese platters.

Omaha Steaks 1917 Red Blend is a medium- to full-bodied, dry red wine with well-integrated flavors of blackberry, plum and black cherry plus hints of spice and smoky oak. It has smooth, food-friendly tannins and a long finish.

Steak, lamb, burgers, barbecue, stewed meats or vegetables, roasted vegetables.

Selección Especial Numerada 66 Priorat is a full-bodied red wine with aromas of red berries and black fruit. The palate offers similar but notably more intense flavors layered with tangy balsamic and oak-driven spice, and hemmed in by grippy tannins.

Tapas, cured meat/charcuterie, lamb, game, chorizo, roasted vegetables, firm cheeses.

Château Le Coin is a medium-bodied red wine with ripe plum, black currant and black cherry aromas, underpinned by delicate spice notes. On the palate, velvety tannins introduce fresh black-fruit flavors. Hints of clove and nutmeg grace the smooth, lingering finish.

Steak, burgers, barbecue, pork, duck, roasted vegetables, aged cheeses.

Shroud Mountain Reserve is a full-bodied red wine with aromas of violet, pomegranate, cedar and oaky spice. Enjoy flavors of ripe red plum, blackberry and red currant. Beautifully balanced, integrated tannins line the long finish. Elegant and complex.

Beef, aged cheese, game, lamb, burgers, meaty pasta.

Casa Giona Bardolino is a light- to medium-bodied red wine with soft tannins and bright acidity. It offers aromas and flavors of red cherries and red berries with hints of violets.

Pastas (in cream sauce or pesto), seafood, roasted vegetables, grilled anchovies.

Black Saint Peter is a full-bodied red wine with intense aromas of spicy red fruit, plus hints of pepper, mint and sweet spice. On the palate, look for smooth, mouthfilling flavors of black cherry and bramble fruits, layered with sweet vanilla oak.

Grilled steak, barbecue, burgers, turkey, pork, spicy dishes (esp. with Cajun seasonings), eggplant, meaty pasta dishes.

Touché Napa Chardonnay is a dry, medium-bodied white wine with an expressive nose of Meyer lemon and white peach, layered with honeysuckle and toasted almond. On the palate, it opens with crisp citrus flavors and evolves into a creamy mid-palate of brioche and pear.

Chicken, seafood, butter/cream sauces, soft cheese, risotto.